Zimbabwe’s premier multi-sectoral trade exhibition event, the Zimbabwe Trade Fair Company (ZITF) is keeping an eye on developments around the Covid-19 pandemic as this year’s dates draw closer.
According to the organisers space uptake is at around 90 percent, with the event scheduled for July.
Over the past few weeks, the country’s has been recording an increased number of new cases, with yesterday’s new cases rising by 249 as concerns over a third wave increase.
Notwithstanding the pandemic, the event’s organisers say participants are eager for a physical event. Current regulations have limited events and workshops to virtual.
Said ZITF Company chairman Busiswa Moyo:
“Meanwhile, the response from the market has been affirmed that exhibitors are eager to resume face-to-face trade show participation to increase awareness of their companies’ products and services following the unprecedented disruption of 2020.
“Space bookings now at 90 percent to capacity with 405 direct exhibitors having thus far booked 44,878 square metres out of the 49,547 square metres which had been made available for sale.
“In terms of foreign participation, 11 countries have confirmed namely Angola, Belarus, Botswana, Indonesia, Japan, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.”
The 2021 Edition is running under the theme ‘Showcasing the New Normal for Business & Industry: Realities and Opportunities.’
The chairman said they are striving to make the event as safe as possible.
“We commend and support government’s quick and decisive actions to reduce the spread of Covid-19 infections and continue to lend our voice in urging the greater public to follow prescribed guidelines to ensure a faster return to ‘normalcy.’
“As indicated by the authorities, the situation will be periodically reviewed and we are hopeful that this will be within a reasonable timeframe for exhibitors to finalise preparations for the show which is scheduled for July 20-23, 2021. In this regard we will keep our stakeholders apprised in liaison with Ministry of Health & Child Care,” added Moyo.
“We remain in constant communication with national and local health authorities who have been instrumental in assisting us to craft the ZITF 2021 Covid-19 Risk Management Plan which seeks to ensure that all reasonable steps to promote and maintain safe and healthy conditions are in place.”